Is Hockey Leaving Arizona?

The middle of the desert is one of the least likely places to find a major league hockey team, but the Arizona Coyotes have persisted nonetheless.

Founded in 1972 and making Arizona their home in 1996, the Coyotes have been a staple franchise of the NHL. While they have had little championship success, with no Stanley Cups or Conference Championships, the Coyote fanbase is incredibly passionate.

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Maybe not for much longer.

Should I Stay...

The Coyotes, while unsuccessful in bringing a major league championship to Phoenix, still hold a large fanbase.

The choice to stay in Phoenix should be an easy one. The team already has its roots deep in the market, and past examples (such as the Atlanta Thrashers, who re-established the Winnipeg Jets, the Coyotes first team) show that the hole a program leaves in a city never goes away.

The Coyotes have gone forward with plans to buy new land north of Phoenix to build a new arena, but even then, that does not make it certain that the team will continue to call Arizona home.

...or Should I Go?

In recent weeks, the owners of the Salt Lake City-based Utah Jazz have been requesting an expansion team for their city. While this usually means a wholly new team will be approved to enter competition, it seems all eyes are on the Coyotes for relocation.

This is not a new thing (again, the Atlanta Thrashers have done this before), and it would save the NHL and the program a hefty amount of money in the process.

Coyote fans are obviously up in arms about this scenario and are pressuring management to go through with stadium renovation plans.

Unfortunately, only management and the NHL can make a final decision, so until then, all Arizona hockey fans can do is wait.